Structural Firefighting

Question 1

What is the main difference between Structure Defence and Structure Protection?

Answer 1

Structure Defence involves tactics to defend a structure from an advancing fire front using tools and apparatus.
Structure Protection involves creating humidity bubbles around structures to protect them from wildfire, often using sprinklers.

Question 2

What is a widely recognised tactic used in Structure Protection?

Answer 2

Sprinklers

Question 3

What are some tactics used in Structure Defence?

Answer 3

Fuel break by hand/machine, check and go, prep and go, prep and defend, anchor and hold

Question 4

What are the 3 main influences on fire severity?

Answer 4

1. Fuel
2. Weather
3. Topography

Question 4

What constitutes a Structure Protection Crew?

Answer 4

A structure protection crew is a team of 5, including a crew lead and 4 members/firefighters, requiring 2 and 3/4 ton or greater pickups capable of hauling a Type 2 Trailer. Crews can be contractors or from a career/volunteer fire department.

Question 4

Define ‘value’ in the context of structural firefighting

Answer 4

Value refers to anything of significance or importance that warrants priority protection or defence, such as infrastructure, livestock, or other significant elements in an environment

Question 5

Name the four basic fuel types

Answer 5

1. Ground
2. Surface
3. Aerial
4. Ladder

Question 5

Why is it important to keep an ICS 214 Activity Log?

Answer 5

To document incidents and the reasons behind certain protection/defence tactics

Question 6

What are ground fuels?

Answer 6

All combustible material lying beneath the surface

Question 7

What are surface fuels?

Answer 7

All combustible materials lying on the surface

Question 8

What are aerial fuels?

Answer 8

Combustible fuels that begin high up in the canopy

Question 9

What are ladder fuels?

Answer 9

Combustible fuels that climb up the canopy

Question 10

List some weather factors that contribute to the severity of a fire

Answer 10

Wind
Humidity
Temperature
Saturation

Question 11

How does topography affect fire severity?

Answer 11

Factors like aspect, slope, chutes/chimneys, and barriers (eg. roads) influence fire severity

Question 12

What does the acronym LACEs stand for?

Answer 12

Lookouts
Anchor Points
Communications
Escape Routes
Safety Zones

Question 13

What is LACES important in firefighting?

Answer 13

LACES is a WARNING and REACTION system used to enhance safety by monitoring fire behaviour, establishing safe zones, and ensuring effective communication

Question 14

What are some important forms used in structural firefighting?

Answer 14

T-cards, Activity Log (ICS214), Daily Time Report

Question 15

What are the steps upon arrival on a fire site?

Answer 15

Crew briefing, ensuring LACES, familiarisation with fire conditions and the area, assessing and triaging structures, and beginning firesmart/structure protection tacts

Question 15

What are the driving rules for demobilisation?

Answer 15

No driving between 2300-0500, and a clear 8 hours of sleep is required between the end of deployment and heading home.

Question 16

What are the 3 primary reasons a value/structure may burn?

Answer 16

1. Ember transplant (60-90% of structure burning
2. Direct flame/impingement on the home
3. Radiant heat from a significant fire near the structure

Question 17

What is the 30/30 cross-over?

Answer 17

The point at 2pm where the risk of fire danger increases. Crossover indicates extreme burning conditions when Relative Humidity is less than or equal to the ambient air temperature

Question 18

What are the 3 predictors when calculating fire behaviour in the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI)?

Answer 18

Weather, topography, and fuel. If two of these align, the risk of wildfire increases.

Question 19

What should be included in a Crew Briefing?

Answer 19

1. Situation
2. Mission
3. Communications
4. Services/Support
5. Risk Management
6. Any questions/concerns

Question 20

Define Structure Triage

Answer 20

The orderly process of assessing structures to priotise saving as many homes as possible with the available equipment and manpower, focusing on saveable structures

Question 21

List the four categories of structure triage

Answer 21

1. Prep and Defend 2. Stand-alone 3. Prep and Go 4. Check and Go

Question 22

What does 'Prep and Defend' involve in structure triage?

Answer 22

Structures with some tactical challenges where firefighters are needed onsite to implement protection tactics tactics during fire front contact

Question 23

Describe Stand-alone in structure triage

Answer 23

Structures with very few tactical challenges, where firefighters may not need to be directly assigned as the structure is unlikely to ignite during initial fire front contact

Question 24

What is involved in 'Prep and Go' for structure triage?

Answer 24

Structures with some structural challenges where firefighters cannot commit to stay and protect. If time allows, rapid mitigation measures are performed, considering trigger points and LACES

Question 25

When is a structure considered completely non-defensible?

Answer 25

1. When fire behaviour threatens escape routes 2. Multiple spot fires are igniting 3. Water supply will not last 4. More than 1/4 of the roof is involved 5. Fire is within the structure 6. There is an abundance of unmanageable combustible materials

Question 26

What tool is used for structure triage forms?

Answer 26

The Survey123 App

Question 27

What's the difference between Interface and Intermix?

Answer 27

Interface involves fires that have the potential to involve buildings and forest fuel simultaneously in urban areas. Intermix involves development and vegetation intermingle with no defined boundary, requiring more resources and posing higher spot fire risks.

Question 28

What are Phase 1 priorities in Tactical Response?

Answer 28

Pre-impingement priorities including roof cleaning, interior preparation, exterior mitigation, and secondary priorities like deploying sprinklers and removing light fuels.

Question 28

What are Phase 2 priorities in Tactical Response?

Answer 28

Impingement includes activating sprinkler systems, conducting spot fire suppression, structural fire suppression, and retreating to safety zones.

Question 29

What are Phase 3 priorities in Tactical Response?

Answer 29

Post-impingement includes patrolling for hot spots, mopping up areas, and continuing structural fire suppression with structural responses

Question 30

What is Area Triage and its flagging system?

Answer 30

Assessing fire behaviour and structure vulnerability to prioritise areas. Flags: Red (NO GO), Yellow (Triage only), Green (Protected), Orange (Pump on site), Blue (Tender stie)

Question 31

How should pets and livestock be handled during fire operations?

Answer 31

Talk to the landowner to move them if affecting operations. If the owner is absent, contact SPS for proper handling and removal. provide food and water if animals are left unattended.

Question 32

What are BCWS Structure Protection Units and their capacities?

Answer 32

BCWS owns 6 Type 1 SPUs protecting approx. 125 structures, and 2 sets of UTV Trident Systems with a flat deck trailer. Type 2 units protect approx. 35 structures

Question 33

What are some natural and man-made water sources used for pumps/sprinklers?

Answer 33

Natural: Clean water sources like streams (sue screens for foot valves) Man-made: Tenders and hydrants (double dress with two 2 and 1/2 gate valves)

Question 34

Describe the steps for pump set up

Answer 34

1. Crew briefing 2. Structure triage 3. Determining pumping operations and equipment needed 4. Set up hoses 5. Set up hoses, thieves, and sprinklers 6. Complete other mitigation activities

Question 34

What are the 4 types of pumping tactics?

Answer 34

1. Tandem 2. Relay 3. Gravity 4. Parallel

Question 35

What is the difference between Single Line and Closed Loop Pumping Systems?

Answer 35

Single Line systems are less effective with poor pressure at the end of the line. Closed Loop maintains constant pressure, supports more sprinklers, and conserves water.

Question 36

How should a site be demobilised?

Answer 36

In order: 1) Sprinklers 2) 3 ways and thieves 3) Hoses (smallest to largest)

Question 37

What should you do if you encounter hazardous materials?

Answer 37

Stay upwind and uphill, avoid breathing smoke, isolate the area, warn others, and notify your supervisor

Question 38

What is a BLEVE and its potential consequences?

Answer 38

Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion occurs when a vessel storing liquid fuel under pressure is heated excessively and fails, leading to an explosion that can start secondary fires.